Brussels accuses Cemex and others of price coordination in Spain, France, Germany

The European Commission has formally accused a dozen companies and associations in the construction sector of coordinating prices for chemical products used in cement, concrete, and mortar. The alleged cartel operated across Spain, France, and Germany, aiming to artificially inflate costs for essential building materials.

Among the accused are major players like Cemex, Mapei, and Chrysto, alongside national industry associations such as Spain's ANFAH, France's SYNAD, and Germany's Deutsche Bauchemie. The commission's preliminary findings suggest these entities colluded to increase the prices of additives that enhance the performance of construction materials, directly impacting building costs.

Authorities believe this price coordination occurred between 2021 and 2022, a period marked by rising raw material costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. The companies allegedly coordinated press releases from national associations to justify these price hikes. Surprise inspections were conducted at company headquarters in October 2023.

If the European Commission finds sufficient evidence of illegal behavior, the involved companies and associations could face fines up to 10% of their global annual turnover. The duration of the investigation remains uncertain, contingent on factors like case complexity and the level of cooperation from the companies under scrutiny. The accused have the right to respond to the commission's preliminary findings.

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sufficient evidence